On no occasion in his life, so far as he could remember, had he been reduced to stammering incoherences.

It had not occurred to him to apologise to the jostled marchioness a few minutes before.

He was now anxious to abase himself before the lady at the bookstall.
"I sincerely beg your pardon," he said.

"I should not have dreamed for a moment of intruding myself on you if I had known.

I ought to have recognised you.